Party row cover



March 22, A, GUSTAVSQN Q PARTY ROW COVER Filed Feb. 18, 1930 3 FIG: E file/i2 7?. Gasiaworz H 1 6 elf/town;

proper use of a voting machine.

Patented Mar. 22, 1932 FEQE ALVIN N. GUSTAVSON, 0F JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK, ASSiGNOB TO AUTOIVIATIC VOTING MACHINE CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE PARTY ROW COVER Application filed February 18, 1930. Serial No. 429,334.

This invention relates to an improvement in voting machines and more particularly in voting machines of the type in which votes are cast by the manipulationof pointers and in means for preventing the operation of certain pointers.

The preferred embodiment of this invention discloses a method, in the form of interlocking shields, by which to close out and prevent the manipulation of party row pointers, being generally referred to as party row covers.

Heretofore considerable difiiculty has been encountered in educating the voter to the In my copending application, Serial No. 14%,870, a device is shown by which to conceal and lockout a portion of the keyboard of a voting machine which is customarily reserved to permit the voter to indicate his preference with reference to certain questions which are presented for his determination. This device accomplishes the purpose for which it is intended but does not prevent the improper operation of the voting machine with reference to the several party rows which lie beneath the row of pointers referred to above. In small communities where voting machines are in use and, depending upon the number of representative parties for which votes are to be cast, it often occurs that several party rows of pointers are not used. Although. no candidates name appears opposite these unused pointers, misinformed voters have attempted to register their vote through manipulation of these pointers and in consequence have failed to cast a vote of any kind. To eliminate this, it has been found desirable to provide a built up party row cover which may be quickly and easily arranged to completely seal the rows of pointers not in use by reason of the limited number of represented parties. 7

The principal object of this invention lies in the provision of a party row cover for attachment to a voting machine by which to conceal and prevent manipulation of certain party row pointers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cover comprised of a plurality of shield elements which may be added to or removed to lockout the desired number of party row pointers.

A further object of this invention lies in the provision of a party row cover which, when in place upon the keyboard of a voting machine, prevents't-ampering with by voters or others unacquainted with the installation thereof.

Other and further objects of this invention will appear from a consideration of the following specification which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in which Fig. l is a fragmentary elevation of a voting machine front showing five of the nine party rows concealed through the use of one modification of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary front elevation of several interlocked shields, showing the shields in place;

Fig 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure 2 and shows the arrangement by which the uppermost shield is engaged with one pointer row and the method of securing the intermediate and lowermost shields in place; and

Fig. l is a perspective view showing several of the shields about to be assembled.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figure 1, this invention is shown mounted for use on a voting machine generally indicated by the reference numeral 10. On the face of the machine is the usual keyboard 12 and on which are mounted several horizontal rows of pointers 14. Beneath each row of pointers, a card receiving channel 15 is provided in which to insert the names of various candidates for whom a vote may be cast. To the left of the pointers is a vertical card bracket 17 in which is located the name of the party with which the list of candidates in each of the channels 15 is affiliated. As shown in this modification, nine party rows are provided and for purposes of illustration, it is considered that only four parties are listed. thus the four uppermost rows of pointers '14 are exposed and the remaining five rows of pointers concealed by what is known as a party row cover 18.

7 votes.

The cover structure, as shown particularly 1n Flgures 3 and 4 of the drawings, is comprised of three types of shields 20, 21 and 22. The topmost and bottommost shieldsare formed to be mounted specificallyin their respective places whereas the intermediate shields 22, of which there may be any number, are alike in construction. The shields extend the full width of the keyboard and 'means of the lugs 29, is adapted to fit over the topmost *rowof pointerswhich it is desired to" conceal. The shield 22 is formed with a straight'face 30, being terminated along the upper edge thereof by a spaced reverse flange 31 which defines a longitudinally extending pocket '33. The lower edge of the shield 22 is formed with a flange 35 which, being reversely disposed to the flange 31, forms apocket 36 on the opposite face of said shield. The shield 22 is engaged with the shield 20. by interlockingthe flanges 25 and 31. The shield 21 is terminated, along the upper edge thereof, by a spaced reverse flange 38 which forms a pocket 39. By means of the flange 38, the shield 21 is interlocked with the shield '22 through engagement of said flange within the pocket 36. Secured to and extending downwardly from the lower edge of the shield 21 are two'or more bolts 41.

In the present showing five pointer rows are concealed. This necessitates the provision of a top and bottom shield 20 and 21 and three intermediate shields 22. The topmost shield 20 extends from directly above one row of pointers to a point midway of thespace 15 beneath said pointer row. The intermediate shield 22 extends from this point-to a point midway between the next two pointer rows. The lowermost shield extends slightly beneath the lowermost'pointer row and is en gaged through openings 42 in a horizontal rail43 with nuts 44. The nuts are drawn down to bring the shields into close engagementwith each other and prevent dislodgment' thereof from' they face of the voting machine.

While under some circumstances it may be found desirableto provide the intermediate shield 22 of a height suflicient to cover two or more rows of pointers, it is believed the present intermediate shields are to be preferred inasmuch as each locality, at the time of election, will require a varying number of party rows for the purpose of registering signature.

It is contemplated to supply a full set of shields for each voting machine and when the number of'parties is known, the balance of the party row pointers may be closed out by attaching the shields as above described.

Although applicant has shown and described but one modification of his invention,

.it is obvious that other modifications or a. cover for any or allof said pointer party rows, means engaging said cover with certain pointers of a party row, a plurality of shields forming said cover and further means on the lowermost of said shields engageable with said voting machine whereby to prevent removal of any of said shields.

2. In a votin machine havin a keyboard and a plurality of party row pointers mounted thereon for pivotal movement thereover,

a cover, means supporting said cover upon certain pointers of a given party row, a plurality of shields forming said cover, means removably joining said shields together and bolts joined to the lowermost-ofsaid shields, said bolts being engaged'with said voting machine and adapted to be drawn down by nuts to prevent removal of saidcover from said keyboard p 3. In a voting machine having a keyboard and a plurality of party row pointers 11101111131 ed thereon for pivotal movement thereover, a cover comprising a plurality of shields, the uppermost shield having downwardly projecting lugs adapted to be inserted in. the space between said keyboard and the arms of certain predetermined pointers. an inter.- mediate shield and a lower shield, said shields having horizontal flanges engageable with each other and bolts joined to. the lowermost of said shields, saidlbolts being engaged with said voting machine and adapted to be drawn down by nuts to prevent removal of said cover from said keyboard.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my ALVIN N. GUSTAVS ON. 

